Disclaimer: I forgot to disclaim myself previously: Characters does not belong to me (or else prince of tennis would be a disaster! D:). Only plot is mine.

A/N: Sorry for it being so late! But it went strongly out of hand, and I had to cut it short… anyways, here it is!

The Final Countdown
Day 3, Cold

The next morning Fuji woke up to the constant chirping of birds. He felt cold in this unfamiliar room, under this unfamiliar thick blanket. Turning sideways he read the table clock indicating 6AM.

6AM?! He jumped off the hard bed that wasn't his and ran for the door. He couldn't care less where the heck he was and with whom he had spent the night: his brain only alarmed him that he was supposed to be at Tezuka's house at this time. He promised himself he wasn't to miss a single second away from the man yet he overslept! He was going to plunger in eternal sleep soon enough so why couldn't he handle sleeping one hour less than what he normally did?

It was then he tripped over something and fell on the cold floor… or so he thought. Instead, he really was lying on something warm and soft. A small grunt came from under him and he lowered his head to see Tezuka staring at him with one eye while his hand tried to rub off sleep from the other.

"What's wrong?" Tezuka asked, hanging his glasses on his nose bridge, distressed.

Fuji blinked twice. "Te-Tezuka…?" What on earth was he doing underneath him?

"Can you please get off of me? It's quite uncomfortable to be in this position" said boy tried not to sound too harsh, but blame him for not being a morning person.

"Ah, right…" the top youth obeyed, starting to feel uneasy about the unexpected closeness.

When the honey haired boy finally untangled himself from his former captain he decided to settle on the floor rather than Tezuka's small futon. When his bare legs touched the cold tiles he unwillingly sneezed and realized he was only wearing an oversized shirt and boxers.

A warm hand brushed his, covering it. Fuji flinched under the light yet soft touch. "You're cold" he heard Tezuka whisper in concern…and the next thing he knew he was under the covers beside his beloved. Long arms encircled him, pulling him closer to the source of warmth and muscled legs found his bare ones, trying to transfer him their body heat. Fuji gasped as he felt Tezuka's hot breath on his bare neck, sending shivers down his spine every time the taller man exhaled.

"Five minutes." Tezuka breathed on his skin and Fuji's world was spinning as he desperately attempts to quiet his moans.

Tezuka's large hand found its way under Fuji's t-shirt, rubbing his chest, slipping a little lower to his abdomen. And Fuji knew it was pointless to try and silence his groans. He tried his best to contain all the emotions flowing inside him from nervous to improper thoughts. His uneven heart drummed so hard in his ears he feared the whole world could hear it… but his every will, every effort crumble under a single strike his beloved gave him.

If Tezuka's goal was to warm him up, then Fuji congratulates him for succeeding at it in a record time; his face was now crimson red –if not, worse-, his whole body (mostly where Tezuka's legs lay) was at the very least burning. Looking at the clock, Fuji counted the remaining time before the promised five minutes would be over, hoping he wouldn't die of hyperventilation before then.

When he finally spotted a red 6:05 showing on the digital clock, he hurriedly (or was it unhurriedly…?) detached himself from his buchou's tight wrap. Apparently the boy was asleep.

If that idiot doesn't remember doing this and nearly giving me a heart attack after he is fully awake I'm… Fuji's trail of thought was interrupted as Tezuka shifted in his bed. A what-am-I-going-to-do-about-you smile formed on his lips as he silently exited their bedroom.

Once he was safe and sound outside, Fuji practically ran for the bathroom that he -luckily- found on his left and undressed himself from the little bit of cloth he was wearing previously. Not even bothering, he randomly tossed the lingerie away and turned on the tub's water. A cold shower would definitely be doing some good to him at times like this. The honey haired boy laughed a low laugh as he recalled how many times he ended up this way after dreaming of ia certain someone/i doing private things to him…

Fuji was just about settling down when the bathroom door opened and, speak of the devil, the certain someone he was thinking about came in.

"Good morning, Fuji" Tezuka greeted (oh-so-formally), glancing at said youth shamelessly.

And Fuji felt like the half-transparent curtains supposed to cover his skin were non-existent. He wanted to smack himself for forgetting to lock the damn door and letting his guard down 'for Tezuka to see'. He had intended to humor but only added to his embarrassment. Now that his body was once again heat up, the water didn't feel so cold anymore…

"Get out!" he finally managed to voice out.

Tezuka who was now busy brushing his teeth only threw him a questioned look as if saying 'what's the problem?'

Argh! Anything for him to stop staring at me like that! Fuji tried his best not to show his discomfort which really, could only fool Tezuka. Said man peacefully continued his task, brushing his teeth thoroughly, as if nothing could be more natural then him peeking on his friend showering.

"Te-Tezuka, get out!" this time, Fuji failed at hiding his embarrassment.

A glint lit up in Tezuka's hazel eyes and he finally understood something he had missed all along. He now blamed himself for not sooner realizing Fuji's uneasiness. "Don't worry" he assured him, after spitting the rest of toothpaste in the sink, "It's not like I haven't seen you before."

If Fuji was a little bit more out of character, he would have fallen on the floor, screaming 'THAT IS NOT THE POINT, YOU IDIOT!!' But since he is still able to control himself right now, he instead learned from his mistake: never EVER keep your hopes up when it comes to Tezuka trying to realize things.

Taking three deep breaths, he managed to clear his mind and shouted, "Don't act like we're newly weds!"

Choke.

Fuji mentally smacked himself on the face and turned the water off. He swore nothing was going to heal him from his current state anymore.

oOOooOOo

"Fuji."

"Hn?"

"Where are we going?"

"Dunno."

Tezuka muted a sigh. Sometimes he hated being tall; if Fuji angled his head just slightly downward his long hair would hide his face, banning the taller boy from seeing his expressions. Judging from his speaking tone, the ex-captain concluded the tensai was angry (or even pissed) at him, but he couldn't bring himself to recall why exactly.

As far as his memories go, Tezuka had brought a sleeping prodigy back to his house after he had slumbered on his shoulder watching the sunset the previous day. He had delicately changed him into his own clean cloths and let him use the bed. The next morning he blurrily remembered holding the cold boy in his arms –and legs, ahem– in his futon and warming him up. Then the bathroom incident occurred and… breakfast turned out to be hell. That's basically how they finally ended up here, walking alongside each other, wandering towards nowhere. What could have possibly gone wrong?

Deep in thoughts, Tezuka barely noticed Fuji was absent beside him. Only the two green-colored soft creams the small boy now held proved he had left his side. "Here," Fuji handed him a cone, "it's your favorite green tea flavor".

Tezuka spoke his thanks and apologized for the trouble. Fuji, for the first time of the day, smiled at him and told him to drop the formalities. The bespectacled boy was about to protest, saying that it was the way he was raised to be, but decided against it and nodded. Today was day three after all, and haven't he agreed that 'Fuji's wishes where his command?' So he took the cone despite his hate for sweet things and ate the green tea flavored ice cream.

Fuji beamed at him, his good mood returning. He started rambling about all and nothing –which was a positive sign and earned a relieved sigh from Tezuka. He was in the middle of talking about Akiko, his third cactus, when he suddenly stopped. "Ah!"

Tezuka turned to see him licking the base of his cone hastily. He raised an eyebrow as the untouched ice cream melted away on Fuji's fingers. The latter was too absorbed in talking and forgot to eat it.

"Mou Tezuka, don't just stand there and help me finish this." Fuji would have pouted if it wasn't for the melting soft cream demanding his attention.

Said boy obeyed since he hated wasting food and took a large bite of the icy treat.

The next thing he knew his nose was on fire. He clutched it with both hands, trying to keep his expression constant, free from all the pain and uncontrolled tears welling up in his eyes. He breathed through his mouth since his nose refused to do their job and swallowed, hoping his throat wasn't going to burn down.

When he finally found his voice again, his first statement was "This isn't green tea."

"I never said it was" Fuji sounded so perfectly innocent it was suspicious. "I only eat wasabi flavored ice cream, I thought you knew at least that much?"

And when did they start selling those?! the taller man couldn't help himself from thinking.

"Don't let your guard down now, Tezuka." Fuji hummed, triumphant. They were now even, he smirked.

oOOooOOo

"Ah!" Fuji exclaimed out of the blue.

"Hn?"

"Isn't this the park you brought me to yesterday?"

He looked around. "Aah, it is."

After the ice cream incident they both continued their trip towards nowhere. It may have been by complete chance they ended up here… or maybe they have been unconsciously drifting to this special place. But for now, both of them really didn't care about ihow./i

"Fuji, now that we are here, how about a friendly match?"

"Eh? But Tezuka I-"Fuji stopped in mid sentence, reconsidering his choice. "Never mind, let's play."

The taller boy threw him a questioned look as if trying to find out what Fuji had left unsaid. After a few seconds, Tezuka gave up and decided they were going to have that tennis match before it would start raining. Dark clouds were starting to pile up and the former captain knew better than anyone that rain and tennis weren't making the best of harmony.

Tezuka handed Fuji a racked and a few balls he had just rented and both of them automatically settled on each side of the court, just like old times. Secretly they were both happy that somehow, nothing had changed.

"One set match" Fuji shouted playfully, "I'll serve."

Tezuka only nodded, feeling nostalgic. He knew far too well the tensai had purposely used his childish and high pitch voice to bring back their once-upon-a-time game back to life, making all his memories of their three years together resurface. Hopefully this tennis match would not end with his complete defeat just like old time, Tezuka teased.

Throwing the yellow ball in the air Fuji had remembered how it felt to be on this battlefield. The thrill, the fun, the pain… and of course, his own victory against his captain when playing that promised game after they had won the nationals. He smiled.

Thwack!

The game has started.

"Houshi Hanabi."

The ball disappeared in the air and moments later crashed down far behind Tezuka. The latter turned to see the yellow ball bounce a few times before rolling towards the fence and raised an eyebrow. "You never fail do you…" it was more of a statement then a question.

Fuji only smiled. He was glad he still remembered how to use his own moves even after quitting tennis. Still, he knew he wouldn't be able to top Tezuka this time: he barely got two games while the other had won him five. And for the first time Fuji blamed his own lack of stamina. He normally would win his games with strategy but to conquer his captain a player needed both strength and ruse and Fuji now lacked the former. He was already sweating all over and breathing now hurt his lungs. He knew he wasn't in a state to play sports but Tezuka had been so enthusiastic about his… and there was no way the tensai was going to forfeit without giving his best. Besides, at least his precious person would have enjoyed the game…

Thwack!

Fuji arrived just in time to catch Tezuka's serve. He was about to return it when a gush of hot wind sent his head swirling. He dropped his racket on the floor, the yellow ball and himself falling to the ground along with it.

"Fuji, are you alright?" Tezuka inquired, slightly worried.

Said boy desperately tried to calm his breathing and his sudden urge to throw up and smiled brilliantly, informing his friend that he was totally fine. Which was a big lie.

"Wah, Tezuka!" He tried to sound as enthusiast as his soar throat allowed his voice to be. "When did you get so strong? That serve was amazing!"

"What are you talking about? It was just a normal serve." The bespectacled boy raised an eyebrow. If Fuji was mocking him when he was the one losing, then Tezuka was pissed.

The tensai's eyes shot open. He stared at his friend for a long time, trying to detect any signs of lie within those hazel orbs. He failed.

Damn, I should have known It wasn't the ball that was heavy, it was me lacking strength! Fuji quickly stood up, earning him another headache before finally stabilizing himself. "Fifteen-love" he informed, insisting Tezuka to continue the game. Another three balls and he would lose 6 to 2. Quite a shame for the once nicknamed prodigy, Fuji laughed absently.

The air now weighed heavy, rain threatening to fall any minute. The skies have long since lost their joyful blue color and even the winds were warm and wet. The building humidity did not help Fuji's suffocated breathing at all. His legs felt heavy…

Thwack! Tezuka had served.

And this time Fuji hadn't been fast enough to even catch it. He prayed Tezuka hadn't seen him cough blood and wiped the remaining spots of red from his jaw line with the reversed side of his shirt. Two more serves to go.

Thwack!

A metallic sound resounded when the ball hit the fence behind Fuji and thudded when it hit the ground. The genius eyed the ball, bewildered. Was it even possible Tensai Fuji Syuusuke didn't even see the ball coming?

Tezuka must be disappointed if the match ended this way so he pulled himself together and prepared his best to return the last shot, his eyes wide open. He wasn't going to…. No, not until the end.

Thwack!

Fuji ran and with all the strength of both his thin arms he returned the ball. Only, it was too high, providing his opponent a good chance to smash and win gracefully. Which Tezuka intended to do since he launched himself in the air, his racket above his head, ready to send the ball crashing on the ground any second now.

Fuji didn't smile as he watched Tezuka's silhouette flying above him, unleashing the fatal blow. He positioned himself for releasing his one and final Kirin Otoshi, reassembling every knowledge, every strength, every warmth and every single memory he had shared with Tezuka all together... his last shot with all his soul in it…

A droplet of liquid fell on his forehead and he no longer knew if it came from Tezuka's sweat or the finally roaring rain. Nonetheless he smiled despite his aching lungs, his tired body, his growing headache.

"Game and match, Tezuka" he whispered to himself.

And everything went black.

oOOooOOo

Tezuka ran to the other side of the courts and gathered the small frame lying on the ground. Fuji was drenched in sweat it was almost abnormal after such a short lived game. His breathing was heavy and uneven and his eyes were oozing out tears of pain despite their protective eyelids being closed. The taller boy shook him a few times but no answer came to him.

Panicked, Tezuka took his friend's small wrist and felt the latter's heart beat slow and even. His eyes widened in disbelief; it was clearly unrealistic that after so much running Fuji's heart beats never sped up. He gritted his teeth disapprovingly and lifted Fuji's small, almost fetish weigh before sprinting back to his house.

The falling rain felt like a shower.

Tezuka selfishly tried to cover Fuji's wet coughing with his own panting, praying he would make it in time back home. He once again forgot Fuji's health state and worn him out. But this time Tezuka wasn't going to forgive himself for deeply hurting the most precious thing he held.

And yet that smile…

To Be Continued

A/N: I once again apologize for the late update and the open ending. Next chapter is almost done, and the end is near! XD I promise lodsa angst and happy ending. Next chappie revelation of Fuji's disease!

Reviews are appreciated and badly needed because I sux at writing and want to improve. Thank you